Addressing the budgeting process for core state services for children.
Summary
Requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to facilitate a work group to design a rate payment methodology for Behavioral Rehabilitation Services (BRS) that is based on actual costs of care.
Directs the Office of Innovation, Alignment, and Accountability, to develop a single validated tool to assess the care needs of foster children, including whether BRS should be provided.
Requires the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast the number of screened-in reports of child abuse or neglect and the number of youth expected to receive BRS.
Requires that costs for BRS placements, staffing associated with screened-in reports of child abuse or neglect, and contracted visitation be forecasted and budgeted as maintenance level costs.
Requires the DCYF to report to the Legislature by December 1, 2020, on a comparison of the actual and projected costs before and after inclusion in the maintenance level budget for BRS placements, screened-in reports of child abuse or neglect, and contracted visitation.
Requires the DCYF to: (1) review the most recent caseload forecast of children in foster care and the availability and capacity of licensed foster homes as part of the 2019-21 Biennial Operating Budget request process; and (2) report its findings to the Office of Financial Management and the Legislature by October 1, 2018.
From the Engrossed House Bill Report (EHB 2008), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗
Enacted (partial veto)Enacted with partial veto · Chapter 208, Laws of 2018